Minnesota to prohibit minors' tattoos

Minnesota will join neighbors Wisconsin and Iowa July 1 in prohibiting tattoo artists from performing services for minors, even with parents' permission.

The new law also requires all tattoo artists and establishments to carry state licenses by January 1.

Chad Iverson, of Ivy's Ink Tattoo and Apparel in Austin, sees up to five minors every Saturday who travel from Iowa with their parents to take advantage of the state's current relaxed laws. He says the change will affect his bottom line but he does see its rationale.

The bill's co-sponsor, Rep. Julie Bunn, DFL-Lake Elmo, tells the Austin Daily Herald that she gathered input from tattoo artists throughout the state. She says they felt that only adults should make the decision for themselves since tattoos are permanent.

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Information from: Austin Daily Herald (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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